Letter from the President
Letter from the President
CHERI RUANE , ASLA
LETTERS / BSLA
FAVORITE PARK THE HIGH LINE
WHY SKYLINES VERDANT
SPINE INFRASTRUCTURE
DEMOCRATIC ACCESS SUBLIME
Parks are the democratic expression of all that is right and good in our society today . Richard Haag once said “ Public parks are the best humanitarian expression of a free people ”. Where else in our communities can we come together , recreate , catch Pokemon , socialize , and experience all of humanity with no entry fee ?
As landscape architects , we are the lucky few who get to shape these places and craft these environments that improve quality of life . Parks reflect a larger commitment to access for all that is inherent in an equitable society . Designers are responsible for creating more than ever before — not only designing things , but also experiences , environments , services , and systems for millions of people . With this increased influence , we must take a step back and recognize the responsibility we have to those for whom we design . We can learn from other professions like healthcare where those who practice medicine acknowledge their responsibility by swearing to uphold the Hippocratic Oath . This binds them to a clearly defined set of rules that guide the ethics of their interactions with patients . Likewise , designers have the ability to impact human health , so perhaps we need a similar code to guide us .
Our profession has been entrusted with the responsibility to protect the health , safety , and welfare of our clients , the public , and the environment . We must do this with grace , excellence , and precision .
Parks are many things to many people , and one of the most recognizable activities in parks is play . As a sponsor of the Extraordinary Playscapes exhibit by Design Museum Boston , BSLA Members were able to collaborate with many different professionals who support the growth and integration of play . At the Unite Panel on June 30 , we heard from a psychologist , an artist , and a designer of play equipment about their diverse perspectives . All aligned around the premise that we need to play more . Play is one of the things that makes us human and teaches us things that cannot be learned in a classroom or a book . In urban environments and across America , play must extend beyond the property lines of parks and permeate all of the built world .
As the seasons shift here in New England , I implore you to go forth and wield the power of design for the good of the people .
Boston Society of Landscape Architects Fieldbook
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